Myth perceptions
Slowly, Rhian Swain-Giboney spreads the portraits across the Formica counter in her Augusta home. The faces, representing a spectrum of age, race and background, smile up at the artist.

At the movies: 'The Master of Disguise'
Such a sad irony that Dana Carvey, who's made his name bringing celebrities to life with uncanny impersonations, should make such a lifeless movie based on characters of his own creation. None is funny or inspired.

Bands often victims of photo cliches
A solemn group of guitar wielders stare, unblinking and unsmiling, into the gleaming lens of a camera. Before and behind them, a railroad track, perhaps overgrown with weeds, stretches from one end of the frame to the other.

Standing ovations
Augusta act Quietstorm will open its Music Explosion concert series at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at Riverwalk Augusta's Eighth Street Bulkhead. Each concert in the series will explore a different musical theme. Sunday's concert will feature jazz. Admission is free. For more information, call 821-1754.

Broad Street Market finds its niche downtown
Have we mentioned our elation that Broad Street has evolved into a culinary mother lode? Funky and eclectic eateries, sprouting like wildflowers in recent years, have injected downtown with a welcome dose of vitality.

Arless Day forms art one piece at a time
Artist Arless Day's imagined world is a fantasy of architectural tidbits and riotous color, a dreamscape populated with festively festooned nobility and elaborate fairy-tale palaces.

Springsteen still 'Rising' to occasion
For almost 20 years, music fans have approached Bruce Springsteen releases with something of a heavy heart. After all, no matter how soulful the songs, no matter how sweet, a question always loomed: How would it have sounded with the E Street band?

At the movies: 'Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat'
The trailers for "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" suggest that the comedian at last bares his soul about the personal difficulties he's had since his last concert film, the enormously successful "You So Crazy" in 1994.

Mini reviews
Movies are listed with theater location for today through Thursday. Reviews without star ratings are from critics other than Roger Ebert. Listings are subject to change. Call theaters for times. For an online movie guide, check out augusta.com/movies. The service provides theater locations and movie times.

Braves silence ailing Brewers
ATLANTA - On the day the Atlanta Braves usually remove the "Help Wanted" sign from their window and add a veteran or two for the stretch drive, they gave regards to Kenny Rogers instead.

Business briefs
NEW YORK - In the latest round of bad news for the world's largest media company, the Justice Department is looking into accounting practices at AOL Time Warner Inc., which is already under investigation by federal securities regulators.

Panel to study membership
The Richmond County Development Authority voted Wednesday to appoint a committee to study joining the CSRA Unified Development Authority, one of three key issues the board hopes to resolve by the end of August.

Markets calm after AOL news
NEW YORK - A last-minute burst of buying lifted stocks to a mixed finish Wednesday despite a disappointing economic report and more accounting questions about AOL Time Warner. Blue chips rose slightly, while technology issues pulled back.

Burke County panel nears deal for plant
Burke County Development Authority officials are working on a deal to bring a carbon product manufacturer to the former Gary Safe International building in Waynesboro.

Business briefs
NEW YORK - Manufacturing activity grew more slowly in July and jobless claims are up, according to economic reports released Thursday, underscoring an economy struggling to fully recover from last year's recession and the Sept. 11 attacks.

SEC Media Days notebook
HOOVER, Ala. -- If you want to get Casey Clausen fired up, bring up Tennessee's loss to LSU in the Southeastern Conference championship game last season.

Miners' rescue drew large TV audience
NEW YORK - The rescue of nine Pennsylvania miners drew audiences roughly six times what cable news networks CNN and Fox News Channel would expect on a sleepy weekend night.

Health calendar
The health and fitness calendar is a listing of support groups, fitness and health activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle.

Loss ends month for Jackets ace
His final start in July wasn't as impressive as his first, a two-hit shutout to beat the Capital City Bombers on the road July 2.

Figueroa atones for mistake
One moment, he looks lost out in right field or he runs into trouble on the bases and leaves his manager flabbergasted. The next moment, he makes his teammates' jaws drop with a display of his prodigious power.

Four tie for 1-stroke lead in Georgia Open
BRASELTON, Ga. -- Chan Reeves of the Robert T. Jones Instructional Center shot a 37 on the front nine but came back with a 31 to tie with three others with 4-under-par 68s and a one stroke lead Thursday in the first round of the Georgia Open.

Waldorf, Senden share early International lead
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Duffy Waldorf battled swirling winds and fast greens to score 9 points Thursday and share the early first-round lead with Australian John Senden in The International.

Inkster stays behind to help strengthen Wendy's field
DUBLIN, Ohio -- Juli Inkster would have preferred to spend this week at home with her family. Or maybe even in Scotland, battling horizontal rain and cold temperatures while she prepared for next week's Weetabix Women's British Open.

Rogers fires 73 to win tourney
It's not that he hasn't wanted to play in the Mickie Gallagher tournament in the past. Will Rogers has just never had the time.

Duncan leads U.S. team in Curtis Cup
FOX CHAPEL, Pa. -- U.S. Amateur champion Meredith Duncan and Senior Amateur champion Carol Semple Thompson will lead the United States team in the two-day Curtis Cup matches against Britain and Ireland beginning Saturday.

International rewards bold play
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- Criticized by some for overly aggressive play, Phil Mickelson won't hear any of those remarks this week.

Man asks judge to deny bond
A Martinez man charged with the deaths of two Augusta area women requested a Richmond County judge to deny him bond Friday.

A.S.U. names interim coach
Robert Duck was named the interim men's head golf coach at a news conference at Augusta State University on Thursday afternoon.

SRS plutonium shipments under way
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The federal government has begun shipping tons of weapons-grade plutonium from Colorado to South Carolina despite a lawsuit by critics who fear the fuel will be permanently stored in the state.

Man shot during argument
A Beech Island was shot several times late Wednesday night after what police say was an argument with another man.

Grand jury blasts loan program
A government loan program designed to help minority- and women-owned businesses secure city contracts benefited only the owners of two politically connected companies, according to the latest special grand jury report, released Thursday morning.

Hopeful has little history as voter
ATLANTA - Like some Georgia voters, Vernadette Ramirez Broyles only steps into a booth to cast her ballot every four years, avoiding the primaries, runoffs and special elections that fall in between.

Board says teachers must list purchases
Aiken County Board of Education members agreed Thursday night to ask teachers for a list of school-related items they buy, an effort to help teachers avoid being taxed for state reimbursement money.

Just another day at animal control
Edward Jefferson, an animal control officer for Richmond County, has captured his share of animals in Augusta including a few exotic ones - an iguana, a boa constrictor and a few other snakes.

Escort service sting leads to seven arrests
If local escort services didn't think Richmond County vice officers were serious about running them out of town, they learned a hard lesson Wednesday night during another sting operation.

Facility may get cuts in funding
Gracewood State School and Hospital is still at risk of losing Medicaid funding next month despite being cleared by federal and state surveyors of endangering residents.

Coliseum board in power struggle
A struggle for power of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority erupted Thursday as several members called a special meeting to elect new officers and acting Chairman Joe Scott attempted to block their move.

Across the area
An Appling man accused of being responsible for a two-car accident remained hospitalized Wednesday and faces several charges, including vehicular homicide, after one of his passengers died.

Correction
Evans junior quarterback Travis Clark broke his leg in practice Tuesday and is expected to be out the next six weeks. Clark, who threw for 1,140 yards last season, is expected to return for the Knights' Sept. 20 region opener against Southwest DeKalb.

Hospital gets time to meet standards
Gracewood State School and Hospital will get some extra time to show that it is complying with patient standards so it can still get Medicaid funding.

Coliseum panel backs refund
A committee of the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority voted Wednesday to recommend that the board refund $38,000 to the organizers of a botched civic center convention in June.

Board drops First Friday push
Save for a few extra sheriff's deputies patrolling Broad Street, today's First Friday street celebration will be the same as ever.

Parents seek balance as school year shifts
ATHENS, Ga. - The logistics are daunting, but Dwight Sims is ready. His family is one of many whose lives may become more complicated as Gaines and Chase Street ele-mentary schools begin a new year-round model as part of a partnership with the University of Georgia.

Council previews theater proposal
The Greater Augusta Arts Council received an initial report Tuesday from Knudson-Ward Inc., the theater planning and design company hired to conduct a regional performing arts center feasibility study.

Around town
Activities and entertainment events scheduled for this week include:

News you can use
AUG. 2, 1982
Richmond County Sheriff's Department Capt. John L. Francisco, 56, and his son, Deputy John L. Francisco Jr., were in critical condition late Sunday after both were shot while breaking up a fight between a man and woman outside a Deans Bridge Road motel.

Husband arrested at hearing
AIKEN - A Salley woman accused of running a puppy mill attempted to have her bond lowered Thursday, only to see her common-law husband jailed.

5 injured in head-on collision
Five people were injured in a head-on collision on the Fifth Street bridge Wednesday morning that closed the road for hours.

News you can use
Aug. 1, 1995
When they face a federal judge again, the three former Healthmaster executives prosecuted last week can expect prison sentences for their roles in a wide-ranging Medicare fraud scheme, attorneys said Monday.

Benson ready for Indy turnaround
INDIANAPOLIS -- Johnny Benson and his crew haven't had much to cheer about this season. They hope the Brickyard 400 can change all that.

Youth movements have always been part of NASCAR
ATLANTA - They stormed onto the NASCAR circuit like wild horses, untamed and unafraid. They drove stock cars without regard to status and tradition. They were defiant and daring, most too young to know any better.

Races should stop 'playing race card'
Aren't you tired of it all? A certain Augusta city commissioner and the NAACP are banding together to rally and protest, because the special grand jury investigation of the fire department and former Fire Chief Ronnie Few didn't turn out the way they wanted it to.
B.J. Wortman, Evans, Ga.

First Friday alcohol ban punishes innocent with guilty
In reference to First Fridays, I heard Chris Naylor, executive director of Main Street Augusta, on the Austin Rhodes radio talk show recently, and I would like to add a few of my own comments.
Elliott Mumper, Augusta

Focus on crowd control
There are bound to be some growing pains when something explodes in popularity like First Friday has. The once-a-month Augusta downtown event started out eight years ago as a vehicle to showcase Artists Row and now it's become a mini-festival, featuring not only the artists, but street peddlers, music-makers, and more.

Right kind of noise
The Pentagon can deny it, but it appears that widespread community opposition played a key role in shooting down any plan the U.S. Navy may have had to build an airfield in rural Burke County - one of seven sites under consideration for 162 Super Hornet Attack jets to practice takeoffs and landings, mostly at night.

Photograph was insensitive
Overall, I feel The Augusta Chronicle handles their business in a cum laude manner. This is why it was hard to believe the judgment, or lack thereof, seen in the July 24 edition, depicting a young dog lying prostrate on the floor ("Inspectors say shelter should cool buildings.")

A Regency rescue
For years there's been talk - and from time to time even some movement - to relocate key Augusta government offices from the Marble Palace downtown to the vacant Regency Mall in south Augusta.

Men of God are only humans
Regarding Wesley Ellis' July 14 letter, "God's judgment is on the church." It concerned God's judgment on his body, the church.
Teri Myrick, Edgefield, S.C.

'Battle Hymn' warns the non-brethren
Karen R. Jones' July 17 letter, "'Hymn' speaks of Christ's coming," contained some simple truths. Very rarely does a letter to the editor not illustrate the obnoxious prejudice of its writer.
Chester A. Heard, Augusta

Just make it safer
Dow-Jones stock averages have a better chance of reaching 15,000 before year's end than the Transportation Security Administration has of meeting Congress' Dec. 31 deadline to require all checked baggage to be searched for explosives.

Mismanagement unconscionable
Gracewood State School and Hospital receives more than $50 million every year to take care of 500 of our most vulnerable citizens. To allow them to continue to mismanage this money while putting the clients' lives at risk is unconscionable.
Sharon Atkinson, Hephzibah, Ga.

Randall best for Aiken Co. Council
I strongly support Joel Randall, the Republican running for re-election to Aiken County Council, District 6. While serving on the county council myself, I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Randall and witnessed firsthand his loyal work ethic on behalf of the people he represents.
Russ Ferrara, Aiken, S.C.

Clinton no demon compared to Bush
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is supposed to be a religious and righteous man. Is it not his duty to bring criminals to justice? Look at Enron, WorldCom, Andersen. A suicide, shredding of documents and hiding behind the Fifth Amendment - do these examples not show something is crooked?
Leonard Sienkiewicz, North Augusta, S.C.

Rips editorial as 'without basis'
Former Augusta Fire Chief Ronnie Few has never had a strong relationship with Augusta's African-American community. Consequently, The Chronicle's assertion that the black community defends Mr. Few solely because he's African-American is without any basis (July 24 editorial, "Facts in black and white").
Robert A. Daniels, Augusta

News article on Corps omits lake-level information
I can't tell you how excited I was to see an article about the lake level on The Chronicle's front page other day. However, the more I read, the more disappointed I became.
Russell Wilder, Evans, Ga.

N-waste: Consider health, safety first
Regarding The Chronicle's July 21 editorial, "Yucca fight not over": Whatever is done, please let's make sure that the health and safety of the general public is the top priority and not just putting the nuclear waste out of sight.
William Hooker, Grovetown, Ga.

Shop for Christmas
This weekend is a good time to do your Christmas shopping, thanks to the sales tax holidays that start Friday in both Georgia and South Carolina.

Fire chief investigation admittedly racist
As admitted originally by Mayor Bob Young, the special grand jury's investigation into the fire department is racist. The recent change in Mr. Young's position is a classic case of pandering to the vicissitudes of the bigoted voters who, even in this day and age, are eager to legally lynch an empowered black man.
Mark Gelbart, Augusta

Overtime
Chris Skinner, a junior at Lincoln County High School, won the Coastal Youth Golf Tour's summer championship at WoodYard Golf Course in Savannah, Ga., on Wednesday.

Overtime
U.S. Amateur champion Meredith Duncan and Senior Amateur champion Carol Sem-ple Thompson will lead the United States team in the two-day Curtis Cup matches against Britain and Ireland be-ginning Saturday.

Fishing tournament news
Sponsoring a bass, crappie, catfish or other fishing tournament? Mail or fax your flyer or information to Fishing Editor, The Augusta Chronicle, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, Ga. 30903-1928. Fax number: (706) 823-3408. Tournament reports must include first and last names of the participants, total numbers of fish caught and total weight of the catch.

Fishing report
Schooling action is heating up during the heat of the morning on Thurmond Lake, with good-sized hybrids surfacing after shad in several areas of the lake.

Coaches shared intuition
Six months ago, Kevin Porter and Mike Hold had a feeling this was going to happen. As it turned out, the arenafootball2 coaches were right.

Computerized analyzers can reboot a swing
NEW YORK -- It's the first and probably last time Tiger Woods and I ever will be seen together. And it's certainly the only time anyone will keep a straight face while comparing our golf swings.